Uncommon presentation of a common disorder

We report about a young male who presented with generalized muscle stiffness, involving the limb, facial, and paraspinal muscles. The stiffness was severe enough to restrict all his daily activities, progressively increased with movements and also produced recurrent falls. This clinical picture rese...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the Indian Academy of Neurology 2013-01, Vol.16 (1), p.111-113
Main Authors: Sowmini, P, Jawahar, M, Bhanu, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action induced muscle spasms
Care and treatment
Case Report
Case studies
Complications and side effects
Diagnosis
Drug therapy
Hypothyroidism
muscle stiffness
Neurology
Risk factors
Stiff-person syndrome
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Summary:We report about a young male who presented with generalized muscle stiffness, involving the limb, facial, and paraspinal muscles. The stiffness was severe enough to restrict all his daily activities, progressively increased with movements and also produced recurrent falls. This clinical picture resembled one of stiff person syndrome. As he had hypertrophy of calf muscles and generalized muscle tautness he was evaluated for other disorders which can resemble stiff person syndrome. Investigations revealed severe hypothyroidism with thyroid antibodies being elevated. This case is reported to highlight the fact that myopathy as a presenting manifestation of hypothyroidism can simulate stiff person syndrome. It is essential to identify the condition early as it recovers fully with treatment. Our patient responded well to thyroid replacement therapy and was able to lead a normal life.
ISSN:0972-2327
1998-3549
DOI:10.4103/0972-2327.107720